More than 27,000 acres of forestland in western Maine have been permanently protected after a six-year conservation effort brought together environmental organisations, state agencies and local land trusts. The Bangor Daily News and The Conservation Fund, the October 2026 milestone builds on an initial acquisition in 2020 and extends conservation protections across the surrounding region, according to Maine Public. The protected land includes approximately 11,000 acres at the heart of Chadbourne Tree Farm.
The achievement safeguards working forests, drinking-water resources and recreational access across a landscape near Bethel that could otherwise have faced fragmentation and development. Crucially, the agreement does not remove the forest from productive use: timber operations can continue, and the land remains accessible to the public.
The conservation initiative began in 2020, when The Conservation Fund and the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation acquired nearly 14,900 acres of Chadbourne Tree Farm. The purchase gave conservation partners time to arrange permanent protections and prevent the property from being divided into smaller parcels for potential development. The protected acreage also helps connect outdoor recreation areas around Bethel. Conservation of key parcels secures important sections of a continuous trail network linking Sunday River Resort and Mt. Abram, opening up opportunities for hiking, skiing and cycling throughout the year. The project also expands access to community forests, river corridors and other recreational areas used by residents and visitors.